Class has officially begun!

Yesterday marked the first official day of class.  I however got a head start on class so I could be ahead.  It's easier to start that way.  Well, for me it is.  Our first assignment was a basic discussion post so that we could get to know our classmates and our instructor.  
The assignment was:
Discussion: Introductions and Skills to Build On 

Of course being the nerdy guy I am, I submitted my work really early and was the first to turn in my assignment.  Teachers pet in the making!  

It may be a little cheesy or goofy, but it's me...
So here's what I said...


Why I'm Here

Either by chance or design, it’s taken me 14 years to get back into school.  After working in the HIV field for nine years, I felt that I needed to further my education to better serve my community.  Gaining my BA will allow me to advance in my current field to have a greater impact.  When I learned about the BA of Sociology with a concentration in Community Health, I knew my time had come.  My name is Julien, and I am a California transplant and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 2005.  In 2012, I moved to Fort Worth, Texas for my current position. 

After reviewing the syllabus and briefly reading the descriptions in the book, I say that the week I’m most excited about is week five.  Module 5.1 to be exact.  Writing and Speaking.  Chapter 11 will hopefully perform miracles when it comes to my fear of public speaking.  I avoid it if I can.  In a clinical setting with I’m with a client or student, I am efficient.  Writing has always been a joy of mine.  However, more in the context of a blog or a journal.  Even composing an entirely too sappy love letter that can get me out of trouble.  More formal writing isn’t exactly my forte.  I am excited to learn the structure of a MLA or APA style of essay. 

Online learning in an academic context is a foreign concept to me.  When I went to school, it was all done in class.  Then again, the last time I was in school the “hashtag” was a “pound sign”.  I have had experience with continuing education courses online to satisfy the requirements of my Community Health Worker Certification.  While this new learning environment makes me a little nervous, I’m excited and willing to adapt.  Being adaptable with different learning techniques will only help me in my personal and professional life. 

Lastly, while watching the Leader Insight video one thing really resonated with me.  When Amelia Manning said “I think sometimes people come into this experience, and they think that it should be easy. And when they hit that first roadblock, they're like “see, can't do it.” And in reality, that's part of the process. That's part of the learning experiences. You're not going to get it right every time. You will stumble, you will run into obstacles.”.  That there has played its role in my life when I’ve made excuses on why I couldn’t go back to school.  I used it as a crutch and milked it for all it was worth.  Well, now it’s time for me to hold myself accountable.  I may have taken my time to get here, but I’m here to stay.